New Year, New Stories & Music at Esplanade

Kick off 2026 with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and usher in a vibrant start to the year. From timeless legends and folk tales to genre-defying music and exclusive archival screenings, the first quarter of 2026 promises to inspire, enchant, and connect audiences in Singapore and beyond to the arts.

Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts (27 Feb – 8 Mar 2026)

The 24th edition of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts invites everyone to revel in the grace and beauty of Chinese legends and folk tales told through different art forms. The festival opens with Deling and Cixi, marking the first time that one of the imperial courts of China will be brought to life at Huayi.  Living legend Taiwanese actor King Shih-Chieh stars in Le Père (The Father), an ingenious adaptation of French playwright Florian Zeller’s play about the world that people with dementia and their caregivers live in.  Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s new work inspired by the legendary great sage of heaven, Wukong’s 72 Transformation, promises to be a feast of traditional Chinese music, multimedia projections, puppetry and storytelling. A co-commission by Esplanade and Taipei Performing Arts Centre and a collaboration between The Finger Players of Singapore and Shakespeare’s Wild Sisters Group of Taiwan, Tall Tales: Bananas and Ang Ku Kuehs takes inspiration from folk tales in the region.

Music to soundtrack the year (various dates)

Music lovers can look forward to diverse programmes under the Mosaic Music Series and Voices Series. Japanese singer-songwriter Ichiko Aoba brings her ethereal, ambient soundscapes, while jazz innovator Hiromi delivers a high-energy performance. For a more intimate experience, The King’s Singers perform traditional and popular tunes in their signature close-harmony style.

Replay – Screenings from the Esplanade Archives (until 31 Mar 2026)

Esplanade’s first-ever, unprecedented extensive release from its archives continues its limited run on Esplanade Offstage. Curated across nine thematic collections and supplemented by contributions from long-time artistic collaborators, this limited-time streaming experience offers audiences a rare glimpse into the centre’s artistic legacy. All content is available until 31 Mar 2026.

Discover the full line-up and more at www.esplanade.com.